Two scoreless innings on March 7 are as meaningless an indicator as baseball can offer, but know this about Yu Darvish:
He will not be another Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Darvish, the newest Japanese sensation, pitches more aggressively than Matsuzaka, displays greater athleticism, seems more comfortable with his teammates.
That isn't to guarantee that Darvish will be a bigger success with the Texas Rangers than Matsuzaka has been for the Boston Red Sox. But let's just say that the early signs are good.
The buzz after Darvish's spring debut against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday was about his expansive repertoire. Did he throw six different pitches? Seven? Four with multiple variations?
There also was talk of his competitive arrogance after Darvish, through his interpreter, was dismissive of Wil Venable's booming double off the center-field wall, citing the wind and dry air.
"I squared it up pretty good -- he was lucky it didn't go out," said Venable, who later added, "Maybe his per...

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